Best Colleges in Oklahoma

The higher education experts at BestColleges have reviewed top 4-year colleges in Oklahoma. Start planning your future at BestColleges.
Staff Writers
By
Updated October 30, 2024
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A college degree is increasingly necessary to secure lucrative jobs and enjoy long-term professional success. The National Center for Education Statistics projects undergraduate enrollment in the U.S. to grow from 16.8 million students in 2017 to 17.2 million in 2028.

Finding the school that best supports your academic interests and career goals can feel overwhelming. However, the following ranking can aid you in your search; we highlight the 20 best colleges in Oklahoma with regards to factors like cost, financial aid availability, and student retention and graduation rates.

The profiles below offer information on degree offerings, available distance education platforms, and student resources like individualized career guidance and internship placement. We also outline general admission requirements. If a university piques your interest, contact the institution’s admissions department directly. Professionals can help you navigate the enrollment process and apply for scholarships.

By attending an Oklahoma college, you stand to benefit from the state’s robust economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, of November 2019, Oklahoma’s unemployment rate sits at 3.4%, just below the national average. Graduates can pursue lucrative career opportunities in growing industries like biotechnology, healthcare, renewable energy, and hospitality. The Sooner State also boasts a low cost of living. Even in a major city like Oklahoma City, living expenses are 15% below the U.S. average.

In this Article
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Best Accredited Colleges in Oklahoma

#1

University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK4 yearCampus + Online

$45,566

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$45,566

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

69%

Acceptance Rate

24%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,002

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,002

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

3,769

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$45,566

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$45,566

Tulsa, OK4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$45,566

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$45,566

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

24%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,002

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,002

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

3,769

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#2

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Norman, OK4 yearCampus + Online

$5,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$22,140

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

77%

Acceptance Rate

51%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,034

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,820

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

29,166

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,140

Norman, OK4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,140

Acceptance Rate

77%

Online Enrollment

51%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,034

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,820

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

29,166

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

$6,630

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$17,820

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

56%

Acceptance Rate

21%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

60%

Students Enrolled

825

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,630

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,820

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,630

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,820

Acceptance Rate

56%

Online Enrollment

21%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

60%

Students Enrolled

825

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#4

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Stillwater, OK4 yearCampus + Online

$5,417

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$20,937

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

71%

Acceptance Rate

53%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,208

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,836

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

26,008

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,417

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,937

Stillwater, OK4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,417

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,937

Acceptance Rate

71%

Online Enrollment

53%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,208

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,836

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

26,008

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

East Central University

Ada, OK4 yearCampus + Online

$6,001

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,151

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

70%

Acceptance Rate

78%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,555

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,945

Retention Rate

60%

Students Enrolled

3,376

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,001

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,151

Ada, OK4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,001

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,151

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

78%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,555

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,945

Retention Rate

60%

Students Enrolled

3,376

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#6

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Durant, OK4 yearCampus + Online

$6,420

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,360

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

74%

Acceptance Rate

89%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,734

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,070

Retention Rate

59%

Students Enrolled

5,479

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,420

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,360

Durant, OK4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,420

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,360

Acceptance Rate

74%

Online Enrollment

89%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,734

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,070

Retention Rate

59%

Students Enrolled

5,479

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#7

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, OK4 yearCampus + Online

$28,094

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,094

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

70%

Acceptance Rate

20%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,620

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,620

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

2,550

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,094

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,094

Oklahoma City, OK4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,094

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,094

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

20%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,620

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,620

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

2,550

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#8

University of Central Oklahoma

Edmond, OK4 yearCampus + Online

$7,026

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$17,913

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

70%

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,356

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,364

Retention Rate

64%

Students Enrolled

12,250

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,026

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,913

Edmond, OK4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,026

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,913

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

57%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,356

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,364

Retention Rate

64%

Students Enrolled

12,250

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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